4SINS: DECEPTION OF LUCIAN MARCUS GREY

3

The event hall was growing more crowded as students continued to pour in. Glaryse found herself struggling to keep up with Zarisha, who was weaving in and out of the throngs of people. The noise was deafening, a constant hum of voices and footsteps, and the air was thick with the scent of snacks and flyers. Glaryse tried to stay close to her roommate, but the crowd was shifting like a tide, pulling her away with every step.

"Zarisha!" Glaryse called, raising her voice above the chaos.

She glimpsed her roommate's blonde hair before Zarisha vanished into the crowd. Glaryse made a move to follow but was immediately swept in the opposite direction by a surge of students eager to check out the next booth.

Great, Glaryse thought, frowning. She wasn't thrilled about being separated, especially in a place that still felt so new and overwhelming.

For a moment, she stood still, trying to regain her bearings. She scanned the crowd for a familiar face but saw only strangers.

Then, out of nowhere, her elbow collided with something solid. She braced for the impact but instead found herself looking up into the eyes of a tall, striking guy. He had sharp features, a quiet intensity about him, and a dark jacket that set him apart from the sea of casual college attire.

"Oh! Sorry," she stammered, blushing. Of course, I'd bump into someone. Why am I always so clumsy?

The guy—who she didn't immediately recognize—smiled, a slow, amused expression that seemed to see right through her. His eyes were a piercing grey, giving nothing away, and his calm presence cut through the surrounding noise.

"No need to apologize," he said with a smooth tone. "Are you lost, or just trying to find someone?"

Glaryse blinked, surprised by his directness. "Uh, yeah. I'm looking for my friend, but I lost her in the crowd," she said, shifting nervously as people bumped past them.

He raised an eyebrow and glanced around the hall. "It's easy to get separated here," he remarked. Then, with a small, almost imperceptible nod, he added, "You look like you could use a break. Want to sit somewhere quieter?"

Glaryse hesitated. She had no idea who this guy was, but there was something about his presence that made her feel like he knew exactly what she needed. The idea of getting away from the noise for a moment was tempting.

"Uh, sure," she said before she could talk herself out of it. "Thanks."

He gave a nod and motioned for her to follow him. As they walked through the hall, Glaryse couldn't help but notice how people seemed to give the guy a wide berth. They didn't crowd around him or even acknowledge his presence directly, but it was as if the space around him cleared naturally. He wasn't doing anything to stand out, yet there was an unmistakable air of authority about him.

They moved past a few roped-off areas and into a quieter section at the back of the hall. The area wasn't flashy—there were no velvet ropes or "VIP" banners—but it felt more serene than the rest of the event.

"This is where we go when we need a break," the guy said casually, gesturing toward a few empty seats in the corner. "It's not exactly exclusive. Just... less crowded."

Glaryse blinked. She hadn't expected to end up in some hidden corner of the event hall, but the sudden calm was a relief. It was definitely quieter than the main floor.

"Thanks," she said, sinking into one of the seats. She pulled out her phone to check for messages, but before she could type anything, it buzzed. Zarisha had sent a text: "Where'd you go? I thought you were right behind me!"

Glaryse quickly typed back: "Got caught in the crowd. I'm in the back area, waiting for you. Follow the signs."

Zarisha's response came almost instantly: "Back area? Is that what we're calling it? I'll be there in a second!"